The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has announced the revised cross-subsidy surcharge, wheeling, and transmission charges applicable for consumers availing conventional power through open access. The charges are for the use of intrastate transmission and distribution systems.

The revised charges will be effective from October 01, 2020, and remain in force until the issue of another order.

Conventional Power – Open Access Charges

There is a slight upward revision of the cross-subsidy surcharge. But the wheeling, and transmission charges have remained unchanged for open access consumers (1 MW and above). The charges and the percentage change are given below:

As per the order, the normative loss of 3% for extra high tension (EHT) level and normative wheeling loss of 8% for high tension (HT) will be applicable for the financial year 2020-21.

No additional surcharge over and above the cross-subsidy surcharge will be applicable for the open access consumers.

Renewables

The state has continued with its regulation of having no cross-subsidy surcharge for consumers availing open access power through renewables. The order further notes that a transmission and wheeling charge of 20% will be payable by the consumer drawing power from renewable sources, excluding cogeneration and biomass power projects.

The Commission further noted that charges would be applicable for all consumers availing HT and EHT power.

Mercom has previously written about the open access market in India. It is explained how open access offers parallel opportunities for stakeholders, including large corporates, solar project developers, investors, and power distribution companies, to participate in India’s solar dream.

Open access regulations and charges throughout the country are distinct. Haryana has decided to impose an additional surcharge of ₹1.15 (~$0.015)/kWh on the purchase of open access power in light of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Chhattisgarh chose not to impose any cross-subsidy charges on consumers availing open access solar power. Maharashtra has announced various charges payable by open access consumers for the financial year 2020-21 to 2024-25.